Shakira, Maná, J Balvin, Belinda, Los Ángeles Azules, Danny Ocean, Lila Downs, Alejandro Fernández, and Tyla headlined the opening ceremony of the 2026 World Cup on Thursday in front of more than 87,000 fans gathered at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.
The show began approximately 90 minutes before the , featuring a performance rich in Mexican cultural identity that combined music, dance, and pre-Hispanic elements.
The ceremony opened with a backdrop rich in symbolism: dancers wearing helmets inspired by Texacoatl, the feathered serpent considered perhaps the most important deity of the Mesoamerican era, golden balls mimicking gold, and a large turquoise canvas covering the grass of the stadium.
Lila Downs was in charge of opening the show as a representative of Mexican roots, singing in indigenous languages such as Mixtec and Maya to welcome the world. The huehuetl, the first drum used by the Aztecs, made from different trunks, was also heard in the stadium.
Alejandro Fernández performed the Mexican National Anthem, while the singer Tyla sang the South African National Anthem, the two countries that competed in the opening match.
Maná performed live from the grass of the Azteca and brought the audience to a frenzy with their classic "Oye mi amor," as thousands of voices sang along: "Oye mi amor, don't tell me no, and let's unite our souls."
The highlight moment arrived with Shakira's performance, where she sang “Dai Dai,” the official song of the 2026 World Cup, recorded with the Nigerian artist Burna Boy. The Colombian appeared dressed in yellow, accompanied by dozens of dancers in white and yellow uniforms, with a giant replica of the World Cup trophy in the background.
The ceremony also featured performances by J Balvin, Belinda, Los Ángeles Azules, and Danny Ocean, completing a lineup that FIFA announced on May 9 for the three opening ceremonies of the tournament, which is being held in Mexico, the United States, and Canada.
After the ceremony, Mexico and South Africa played the opening match, repeating the same matchup that opened the 2010 World Cup in Johannesburg, marking the first time in history that the same duel has inaugurated two different World Cups.
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